M7-Time Travel Holiday (Due A-Dec 31; B-Jan 07)

Greeting Time Travelers. 

You have been doing a great job traveling around and exploring the Ancient World. As a reward for all of your hard work you get to take a Time Travel Vacation!

For this mission you can go anywhere in time. You can visit the Ice Age, the Dinosaurs, Medieval Europe, Modern Day Paris in the spring, Oregon in the 1800's, and even...THE FUTURE.

Please choose one destination in which to spend your vacation. Write a standard sized post (2-3 paragraphs or two screen scrolls) about what you see and do.

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must clearly state where and when you are.
• Must use and highlight Writer's Secret 1-4.
• Must use the delicious word: SPECKLED

M6-Welcome to Greece! (Due A-12/10; B-12/17)

This Week's Mission: 

Time to head to Ancient Greece! For this mission you have a choice of options. Please choose one of the following:

• Sail across the Mediterranean Sea and visit a Greek Colonies or City-State
• Visit an Greek Farm and talk with a farmer
• Travel around Greece using the modes of travel available to the times
• Visit a Greek marketplace and buy some of the items available there

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain two pieces of factual information.
• No new Writer's Secret; instead I want you to include at least 2 lines of dialogue. Have 2 people speak in your post. Remember to put what they say in quotes and to give each new speaker a new paragraph. An example follows:

I walked up to the nearest merchant selling fancy pottery.

"How much for this vase?" I asked.

"That one," the merchant said gruffly. "That one is too much for you!"

• Must use the delicious word: SUPERIOR.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

A reminder about the general requirements for each post can now be found at the top left of this blog.

M5-Photo Safari (Due: A-11/26, B-12/3)

This Week's Mission: 

This is your last mission in Ancient Egypt. I need you to take some pictures of the wonderful things you have seen. 

You will need to post 5-10 images. Each image needs a1-2 sentence caption. You must use Writer's Secret 1.1, 1.2, & 1.3. As well as 2 of the five delicious words (conceive, enormous, paralyze, sandwich, groggy, bon apetite) An example post can be found after this one.

Directions on how to put pictures in your blog (using Firefox):

1-conduct a Google search for the specific image you want, for example: "Tutankhamen" will get you several pictures of King Tut.
2-browse through the thumbnails until you see one you like; click to open it
3-in the "Google Images" preview that opens click on "Full-size image" to the right.
4-right-click on the image and select "Save Image As"
5-make sure you are saving your image to the desktop, give it a title that makes sense to you, and press save.

6-in your "new post" window on blogger click the little picture just to the left of "link." If you hover over it, it will read "Insert Image"
7-in the window that opens make sure "upload" is selected; click "choose file"
8-search for your picture on your desktop, select "Open"
9-wait for the image to be uploaded, when it appears in the window click on it, then click on "add selected."
10-You can change the size of your picture and its alignment by clicking on it and using the toolbar that opens.
11-You will need a caption for each photo. For this mission you should write the captions in your blog. DO NOT use the "add caption" tool found in the picture tool bar.

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain 5-10 images with captions.
• Must use and highlight 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3
• Must use and underline 2 delicious word.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

The general post requirements do not pertain to this mission. However, you are still required to read and comment on at least 2 other M5 posts.

M5-Photo Safari Example

Here are some pictures from my travels through Ancient Egypt.

 Looking at my map, I thought about my travels, wondering if I would ever return to Ancient Egypt.  It was a really wonderful country.

Tut ruled!  He was just a boy when he was Pharaoh.

Escaping the dam waters, this temple was moved.  It now sits in a fake cliff side.

These enormous statues lined the entry to a grand palace. I'm so impressed with the detail the artisans put in these temples.

We rode in this falluca. The Nile was an amazing river.

I'm a bit groggy when it comes to reading hieroglyphics. I think they are preparing a Pharaoh for his afterlife.

M4-Leisure Time (Due 11/12)

This Week's Mission: 

You've explored the Nile, you've met a pharaoh, now it's time to have some fun. For this week's mission you need to explore a part of Ancient Egypt that is most interesting to you. Maybe you want to join Pharaoh's Army and fight in a battle? Maybe you want to enter Egyptian Mythology and help Ra in his daily duties? Surrounded by exotic spices, you prepare an Egyptian feast, wondering if the pharaoh will approve. Maybe you will prepare an Egyptian feast! Maybe you want to explore Modern Egypt? Maybe you want to be chased by a cursed Mummy!

Whatever you choose to do you do need to do it accurately.  Do a bit of research before you just start making things up.  If you are going to fight in a battle, who is it going to be with? Fighting bravely, you use ancient weapons. If you are going to go shopping in an enormous Bazaar, what kinds of things will be available for sale? What will you pay with? Have fun, but learn a little something as well.

If this mission is too open ended for you, and you are struggling with where to begin I suggest you write a post based on Egyptian Mythology. You can read about some Egyptian Gods, Goddesses, and Stories here: http://www.egyptianmyths.net/

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain two pieces of factual information.
• No new Writer's Secret; use and highlight 1.2 or 1.3
• Must use the delicious word: enormous.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

A reminder about the general requirements for each post can now be found at the top left of this blog.

M3-Meet a Pharaoh (Due 11/12)

This Week's Mission: 

Bowing politely, travelers meet greatness. Now that you are in Ancient Egypt, it is time to meet one of these great Egyptian Ruler-Gods. Choose one of the Pharaohs we have studied (or research a different one) and either meet them and talk to them or visit one the temples built in their honor.

Find out, and creatively share, what your Pharaoh was famous for and what they contributed to Egyptian history. But beware...Pharaohs were known to have magical powers and the ability to put strange curses on people and can paralyze you with fear.

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must provide time frame (years) that pharaoh was alive.
• Must inform reader of at least one accomplishment or trait pharaoh was known for.

General Post Requirements:

• Post title must start with "M3"
• Must be about 2-3 paragraphs in length (if using dialogue your total post should not be longer than two screen lengths)
• Must use a form of the  delicious word "paralyze" (underline the word when you use it.)
• Must use Writer's Secret 1.3. Be sure to highlight it when used.

Comment Requirements:

• Must read and comment on 2 other M3 blog posts.
• Comments need to be specific to the post. (For example: "I like the way your described the warm Egyptian night air. It made me feel like I was there." or "Excellent use of groggy! I laughed out loud." is specific and helpful. Whereas, "Cool post." is generic and sad.

M2-Welcome to Ancient Egypt (Due 10/28)

This Week's Mission: 

Start traveling! Some of you ended your last post with a departure, others are already in Egypt, some are still home waiting for orders. No matter where you are it's time to explore Ancient Egypt. For this mission you need to explore the Nile River. Tell me some of the interesting geographic features of the Nile and its surrounding terrain.

If you happen to meet anyone feel free to ask them questions about their lives: part of your deal with TTI is that we provide you with an implanted translator, this device lets you speak, read, and listen in any language known to mankind! Enjoy your travels.

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must use sensory detail to describe the environmental factors that shaped Ancient Egypt.
• Must use at least four of the five senses.(Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste, Touch)

General Post Requirements:

• Post title must start with "M2"
• Must be 2-3 paragraphs in length (if using dialogue your total post can not be longer than two screen lengths)
• Must use a form of the  delicious word "sandwich" (underline the word when you use it.)
• There will be no new Writer's Secret this week due to the need for extra blog time (Monday & Tuesday will also be reserved for blogging).You may use either 1.1 or 1.2. Be sure to highlight it when used.

Comment Requirements:

• Must read and comment on 2 other M2 blog posts.
• Comments need to be specific to the post. (For example: "I like the way your described the warm Egyptian night air. It made me feel like I was there." or "Excellent use of groggy! I laughed out loud." is specific and helpful. Whereas, "Cool post." is generic and sad.

Blog Grading

Blog posts are worth 10 points.

Points are earned using the following point-based rubric:

1 point for correctly using the Delicious Word
1 point for correctly using the Writer's Secret
2 points for correct grammar and spelling

2 points for historical accuracy (well integrated into story) 
2 points for a creative story (completes mission & is engaging)

2 points for reading and commenting (1 point per good comment on the current blog post of a fellow time traveler)

M1 - Your Story Begins Due Oct 22

This Week's Mission: 

Congratulations, you will start your first time travel voyage next week. This week you need to get your life in order, pack your belongings, say good-bye to your family and friends and prepare for your trip.

General Post Requirements:

• Post title must start with "M1"
• Must be 2-3 paragraphs in length (if using dialogue your total post can not be longer than two screen lengths)
• Must use a form of the  delicious words "groggy" and "bon appetit" (underline the word when you use it.)
• Must use Writer's Secret 1-1. (highlight it when you use it.)
• Must use Writer's Secret 1-2. (highlight it when you use it.)

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must show us where you live & what you do. (Try to SHOW us this and not TELL us this. For example: "I closed my bookstore and walked out into the warm Brazilian night air." SHOWS us you own a bookstore in Brazil. Whereas, "I own a bookstore in Brazil" TELLS us this information.)

Comment Requirements:

• Must read and comment on 2 other M1 blog posts.
• Comments need to be specific to the post. (For example: "I like the way your described the warm Brazilian night air. It made me feel like I was there." or "Excellent use of groggy! I laughed out loud." is specific. Whereas, "Cool post." is generic and sad.

Eye of a Tiger: How to change your name from real, to TTI nam...

Eye of a Tiger: How to change your name from real, to TTI nam...: " How to change your name from real, to TTI name. First, you must be following yourself, then click on you, click on the website. Now cli..."

Welcome New Time Travelers

Congratulations!

If you are reading this you have been accepted to be a member of TTI. It is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome you aboard. We'll head off on our first journey in about a week, so pack your backs and settle your affairs. Before we start traveling we need to make sure our blog community is up and running.

You will need to follow all of the blogs of your fellow time travelers

TO FOLLOW ANOTHER BLOG: 

FIRST

Click on the names listed to the left under "Time Traveler's Blogs"

OR

Click on the individual "followers" of this blog to the right. A little bit about them will appears in a pop-up window. Scroll down until you see their "Links" this will be their blog. Click on their blog.

AND THEN

When their blog opens in the a new window find the button that says "Follow" (Usually found in the upper left corner of the blog screen, but you may have to look for it if the blogger has chosen a different design layout).

IF ANOTHER POP-UP WINDOW POPS UP

Select your "Google" Profile. Make sure the name listed is your TIME TRAVELER not your student name. Select OK.

Congratulations you are now a follower of their blog. Now you just have to do this for the others.

(If you feel comfortable you might also comment on this post and copy and paste the web-address of your blog in the comment space, this makes it easier for others to find your blog!)

Remember: you should be blogging as your Time Travel alias. If your current I.D. is of a student in a school somewhere you need to change this ASAP.

TO CHANGE YOUR BLOGGER ID:

How to change your ID: In the upper left hand corner of this screen click the orange "B"; this takes you to your "dashboard".

Your profile appears at the top of the page; click "Edit Profile"

First uncheck "Show My Real Name" (if you have it checked).

Scroll down.

Under Identity type a Display Name (this is what appears when you comment)

In the First Name Box: Type You Time Travel First Name

In the Second Name Box: Type Your Time Travel Last Name

Also, if you'd like to add a temporary profile picture please do (please make sure they are appropriate; we'll photograph your portraits once they are completed and you can use that if you want.)

If your real name still appears on other blogs try this:

Go to dashboard

Then scroll down to "Blogs I'm Following"

Click the Manage button.

Click 'settings' by any of the blogs you follow, a box comes up in which you can edit your details.

Looking forward to blogging with you all next week.

Time Travelers Wanted

Greetings Thrill Seekers and Intellectual Giants!

Thank you for investigating the official blog of Time Traveler's Incorporated.

We are preparing to send a new group of Time Traveling Bloggers to Ancient Egypt in early October. We are quite excited and believe they will encounter several things of interest to Intellectual Travelers (ancient culture, warriors, gods & goddesses, mummies!).

Later in the year we'll be sending travelers to Greece, Rome, China, India and more.

If you are interested in becoming a Time Traveling Blogger please attend class regularly and grab an application as soon as they are made available.

Good Luck! We'll see YOU in the past.